MSP Responds to Erratic Driver/Crashes on I-295 in Freeport

On Monday February 19, 2024, at approximately 4:03 PM, the Augusta Regional Communications Center started receiving 911 calls regarding a motor vehicle, operating erratically on Interstate 295 northbound in Freeport. Tr. Tyler Maloon was north of the offending vehicle and waited for the vehicle to approach.

Tr. Maloon located the vehicle, a Chevy pickup truck at 4:08 pm, near Exit 22 Northbound on 295. Tr. Maloon attempted to stop the vehicle utilizing his emergency lights and siren but the vehicle failed to stop. Tr. Maloon pursued the vehicle northbound and attempted to separate the offending vehicle from other motorists.

The vehicle came to a stop north of exit 28 on 295 and the male operator was found to be elderly, and suffering from a medical/mental health event. An adverse driving report will be filed with the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Traffic in the area of mile marker 28 was backed up as a result of the erratic operator and subsequent pursuit. Troopers responded to two separate secondary crashes. The crashes involved 6 total vehicles and there were minor injuries. The road was limited to one lane for approximately 35 minutes while the vehicles were being removed. Assisting on scene was the Brunswick Police and Fire Departments, MaineDOT,  Atlantic Coast and Copp Motors.